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General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Nick squints as the VR helmet is removed]] / Nega-Nick (off-panel): Carefull now. you haven't used your physical eyes for a few hours now. They need to adjust to the light. / [[The next panel shows Dr. Sehgal is writing on a clipboard as Nick looks on]] / Nega-Nick (off-panel): Allow me to introduce Dr. Sehgal, my chief medical scientist. / Dr. Sehgal: He is fine. Other than fatigue, I find no ill effects. / [[The camera pans, showing Nega-Ki removing her VR helmet]] / Nega-Nick (Off-panel): And I believe you have already met my colleague, although I hate to prove you wrong. Her name IS Ki Oshiro. / [[Nega Nick, bathed in shadows, looks at Nick as he picks up his glasses]] / Nick: And...You are...? / Nega-Nick: Your humble host. I'm sure you should recognize the face...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nick: So I was right. When I entered the mutex, it took me to an alternate universe. You are me, I suppose. / Alter-Nick: Or you ar me. Take your pick. / Alter-Nick: I apologize for the deception. It was not my first choice for contacting you. But unfortunately, we were given few alternatives. / Nick: I'm sure you realize I have a ton of questions... / Alter-Nick: All of which I will answer shortly. First, we shall attend to your more immediate needs. / Alter-Nick: Ki, arrange to have some food brought to our guest. Then initiate plan M. / Alter-Ki: Plan M? But ... / Alter-Nick: No "buts." You know what to do.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nick 2: The freshest fruits, meats, veggies, and cheese, from all over the world. No need to be cautious; I assure you they haven't been poisoned. / Nick: Of course not... / Nick: You went to a lot of trouble to bring me here alive. Killing be would be counterproductive. / Nick 2: Very perceptive. / Nick: Then let's cut to the chase. You obviously know about my invention, the Velociraptor. You also want to know how it works, I'm guessing because you built one of your own, but haven't gotten it right yet. / Nick: You want my experience to make it work. The big question is why. / Nick 2: There's no hiding from you. Come with me, and you shall have your answer.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Nega-Nick steps onto the balcony, followed by a distrustful Nick]] / Nega-Nick: Step onto the balcony, Nick. I want to show you something... / [[Nega-Nick shows Nick the view from the balcony, revealing a near ruined city. No buildings appear to have come away unscathed from what has happened to it, though for the most part the buildings are still standing. Many have anti-aircraft (spacecraft?) emplacents, and look as though they expect an attack at any time. Nick looks shocked by the destruction.]] / Nega-Nick: Sadly, THIS is the world I come from. Ravaged by war, scarred by invaders from another planet. We TRIED to make peaceful contact, but you can see how THAT turned out. / We are on the losing side. Every day draws us closer to defeat and enslavement. We project an inevitable surrender in six weeks. / Nick: And what, exactly, do you expect from ME? / [[Nega-Nick leaves the balcony]] / Nega-Nick: Nothing short of being the savior of the entire human race. No pressure.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Alter-Nick: It was shortly after I created my version of what you call the Mutex that I learned I could peer into other realities. It wasn't long until I stumbled upon your universe. / Alter-Nick: I watched you carefully, as you seemed to have the same inventor's gene I had. Only more advanced. When I learned you too had created the Mutex, I was ecstatic. Then you did something I only dreamed of ... / Alter-Nick: With this marvelous Velociraptor device, your Mutex allowed you to cross dimensional boundaries. Nothing we could produce could generate that kind of power. It was then I realized your potential. / Nick: So you want to use my power source to defeat your alien adversaries. / Alter-Nick: [[evil grin]] Admittedly, my first instinct was more selfish. Think of the patent royalties that thing would bring in ...
 
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nega-Nick: Alas, try as I might, I could never duplicate your device. Some small aspect has eluded me. So I knew I had to find a way to contact you. / Nega-Nick: I discovered that although I lacked the power to completely transfer matter to another universe, I _did_ have enough to create a sort of virtual avatar. / Posi-Nick: So _you_ were the one who sent Trish Marshall to spy on me... / Nega-Nick: Marshall? No, I never sent her. She was an agent of our enemy, sent to steal your secrets first. / Posi-Nick: She didn't _look_ like an alien... although she definitely acted oddly. / Nega-Nick: Not all humans are on our side, my friend. Our enemy can be extremely persuasive.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Panel 1: Nick and Otherworld-Nick walk along a dark corridor]] / Nick: Where are we now? This almost looks like a prison... / Otherworld-Nick: It is, of sorts. This is where we interrogate our prisoners. / [[Panel 2: In the foreground, Alan Sedgewikki's alternate counterpart with a buzzed-looking face and bared teeth. He has some cables attached to his arms, some liquid oozes down his shoulders. Nick and otherworld-Nick watch him through a big window in the background.]] / Otherworld-Nick: Sadly, our alien adversaries resort to a very powerful form of mind control. This poor soul was captured while attempting to bomb a school. We try everything to free them, but... / [[Panel 3: Nick and Otherworld-Nick, now in the foreground seen from behind, look through the window at Sedgewikki who is lying in a chair. A figure in a protective suit works on him.]] / / Nick: What'S the blue stuff oozing down his neck? / Otherworld-Nick: Residuals from their mind control apparatus. Once they gain control, it's nearly impossible to remove. / Suited figure: We've lost this one. / [[Panel 4: Nick and Otherworld-Nick. Nick looks shocked.]] / Otherworld-Nick: So you see our urgency. It's getting harder to tell friend from foe, so we need every edge we can get. So tell me Nick... Can I count on you to help save our world...?
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nick: You seem to be in a serious dilemma. Your enemies indeed seem powerful, and I'm sure I can be very helpful to you in defeating them. / EvilNick: Excellent! / Nick: Except... / Nick: Your story doesn't seem to add up. Here we are, in an opulent palace, with fine food and expensive artful trappings, while the rest of this city lies in ruins. That speaks volumes about your priorities. / [[The two Nicks face each other, both clearly angry]] / Nick: As _my_ Ki would tell you, I'm a terrible liar. Yet you've already tried to deceive me with _your_ Ki, and your silver-tongued appeal seems a little too perfect, like a certain other person who deceived me years ago. / [[Nick points to his evil twin]] / Nick: Trish never oozed anything except sexual innuendo, so I don't believe your claim that she's an alien spy. I'd more quickly believe her "master" to be somewhat closer to human...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nick 2: You make dangerous claims, sir, with very little evidence to back them up. / Nick: And YOU have very little evidence yourself, Ming the Merciless. I need PROOF. / Nick 2: FINE. I've wasted too much time playing YOUR game. Now we play it MY way. Observe. [[Hits a button, and a panel opens.]] / [[Nick presses up against the glass.]] / Nick 2: This little device, like the Mutex, hooks directly into the brain to stimulate the senses, only usually the sensation is most unpleasent. Recognize the victim? / [[Ki is writhing in agony on a table. Nick glares at Nick 2.]] / Nick: That's YOUR Ki, not MINE. / Nick 2: Are you so certain that you'll risk her life?
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nick 2: Let's see, what sounds interesting? Make her feel like she's freezing to death? Being burned alive? / Nick: You'll torture your own girlfriend to make me help you? / Nick 2: Please. Ki may have shared my bed, but she knows her place. EVERYONE who serves me is expendable. Besides, you never established that she ISN'T "your" Ki. / Nick 2: I know... How about being drawn and quartered? A classic. [[Pushes button on remote control]] / Ki 2?: [[screams]] AAAAAAGH! / Nick: STOP IT! [[Presses up against glass]] / Nick 2: Giving in on the first button press? See, my way IS faster. One prisoner will be tortured to death in front of you for each hour you waste. Now get cracking. / [[Nick slumps against the window]] / {{END CHAPTER THREE}}
 
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Trudy sneaking off, Maddie following.]] / Maddie: Slipping out for a midnight snack, Ms. Trueheart? / Maddie: Or should I say "mid-day." This flipped day/night cycle is still playing with my senses... / Trudy: A-Agent #12. Actually, yes. I was getting a little hungry... / Trudy: Why are you awake? I don't suppose you want a munchie as well... / Maddie: I don't trust you. If I had my way, you'd still be on our earth under lock and key. / Trudy: So I guess you think I need constant surveillance. Got to keep me on a short leash... / Maddie: I don't buy your "I've changed" routine. The only thing around here I find fishier... / Mirror-Trudy: Is me. That was what you were about to say, wasn't it. Ms. O'Hara? / Maddie: Oh, look. I stepped into a doublemint commercial. Double the fun... / Mirror-Trudy: I really miss that sarcasm. "My" Maddie would've been proud.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Agent #12: So you knew "your" version of me. I suppose she became some sort of sociopathic anarchist... / Trudy 2: Quite on the contrary. You are a lot like her. / Trudy 2: As I tried to explain, not everything here is a mirror of your world. Our Maddie O'Hara was a just, noble person and a faithful UGA agent. In fact, she was one of the few who didn't join the Emperor, and sadly paid for her loyalty with her life. / Agent #12 (Maddie O'Hara): You sound like you knew her very well... / Trudy 2: [[sadly]] Eventually, yes. We spent a lot of time trying to coax Barker away from Nick before she was executed. / Trudy 2: It was during that time that I learned of the special bond between us... a bond that you two share as well... / [[Agent #12 and Trudy look at each other, nonplussed.]]
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Agent #12: Special bond? What d-- / Trudy 2: But that must wait until later. For now, I'd like a moment alone by myself, so to speak. / Agent #12: It's not a good sign of sanity to get caught talking to yourself. / Trudy 2: Very witty, Maddie. But I need to talk to Trudy in private. If you'll excuse us... / Agent #12: I'd rather not. You see, while you've been playing noble freedom fighter, this woman has been sowing havoc and toppling nations. I trust her as far as I can throw her, and I'm not about to let her out of my sight. / Trudy 2: Suit yourself, then. What must be said WILL be said, whether we have an audience or not. I'll warn you, however, that what you may hear will be unpleasant and uncomfortable. / Agent #12: I'm sure I've heard worse.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Agent #12, "Maddie", sits in the background quietly observing.]] / Trudy 2: Trudy, I may not know everything that's happened to you since you joined GPF, but I know most of it. I also know the struggle you've been through these past three years. / Trudy 2: While SOME people may not believe you, I KNOW about your conversion, your change of heart. It may not be complete yet, but I think you're on the right path. Given time, I think you'll prove yourself to those who doubt you. / [[Trudy looks down in seeming shame.]] / Trudy 2: It won't be easy. You will face much prejudice, people who will believe your sins far too great to be forgiven. They will challenge you, mock and ridicule you, and believe you can never be redeemed. That's their short-sightedness, but your burden. / [[The two hold hands. Trudy's eyes are down and closed.]] / Trudy: That... sounds almost like the voice of experience... / Trudy 2: It IS. Like you, I made a change for the good. Like you, I must fight the darkness within me daily...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Trudy 2: Like you, I grew up rich and spoiled. My family was broken too, and I didn't have the love and nurturing I craved. Then, the dark voices came, spurring me toward selfish, greedy goals. / [[Trudy 2 bows her head in shame.]] / Trudy 2: Then my mother, in her own change of heart, told me of a younger sister, given up in adoption while I was still a chold. She begged me to find this girl and try to make things up to her before our mother died. / [[Trudy is startled.]] / Trudy 2: At first, I was annoyed. I had far more "important" things to do for myself. But the task changed me. I started looking outward instead of in, and when I found her, that meeting changed me forever. / Trudy: I have a sister too. I've tried looking for her, but that's hard to do while on the run. / Trudy 2: That's why I want to help you. I KNOW where she is, and I think she can help you as my sister helped me. / [[Trudy 2 lays a hand on Trudy's shoulder.]]
 
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Trudy: You... You KNOW where my sister is? / Agent #12: Wait a minute... Trueheart has a SISTER? / [[Sharon enters, rubbing her eyes.]] / Sharon: Who's making all the racket? I don't care if I get any sleep, but KI really needs it. So can you guys hold it down a little? / Trudy 2: My apologies, but I'm glad you're here, Sharon. I have something to say that concerns you too... / [[Trudy 2 puts her arm around Trudy's shoulders.]] / [[Seen from the perspective of Sharon and Agent #12, Trudy 2 gestures toward the viewer, making who she is talking about seem ambiguous.]] / Trudy 2: Trudy, I want you to meet your sister... / [[Trudy is shocked beyond belief.]]
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Sharon and Maddie: S-SISTER?! / [[Trudy, nega-trudy, Sharon, and Maddie all stare at each other]] / Sharon: [[whispering]] So...which one of us is she pointing at? / Maddie: [[whispering]] You. It's obviously you. / / Sharon: [[whispering]] No... it was a broad motion, but it started towards you... / Maddie: [[whispering]] If this becomes some sort of Devito Schwarzeneggar "Twins" thing...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Sharon: Hold on now! I was adopted! So I CAN'T be Trudy's sister! / Agent #12: [[pointing at Sharon]] Bad news, Murphy... / Agent #12: So was I, and she just said Trueheart's sister was given up for adoption. That makes us BOTH potential candidates. / Sharon: We'll see about that. I happen to know my birth mother's name. / Agent #12: And that is...? / Sharon: Er, Esther Matusevitch. Either that or Elsbeth Diederich. / Agent #12: You're not sure? / Sharon: Okay, they both could be fake names. But I'm almost positive she's used them both. She's... on the FBI's Most Wanted list. / Agent #12: No wonder those sounded familiar. / Agent #12: I happen to know my birth mother's name as well: Gisela Wagner. I've done some research, and I know she lives in... What? / [[Trudy looks extremely rattled.]] / Trudy: E-Esther Matusevitch. That was one of Mom's many aliases... / Trudy 2: Actually, that was her real maiden name.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Both Trudy and Sharon are in shock.]] / Trudy 2: Trudy, Sharon is your baby sister. MY mother gave up Sharon out of necessity but later regretted that decision. I can only imagine why your mother gave her up. / Trudy: She... didn't want her. Another mouth to feed, another inheritor to chase after her ill-gotten fortune. It was bad enough she had to put up with me and Dad, but ANOTHER child... / Sharon: [[shaking, furious]] I... You... She... / [[Sharon storms out, crying.]] / Trudy: SHARON, WAIT! / Agent #12: I can just FEEL the love...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Sharon is running, with her teeth gritted in rage and tears pouring from her eyes. Fooker, with his eyes half closed and scratching his stomach, enters from a doorway.]] / [[Sharon collides with Fooker. Fooker looks awake and startled.]] / Fooker: Whoa, there, sexy lady! Where's the firewall? / Sharon: GET OUT OF MY WAY! / [[Fooker looks concerned and puts his hands on Sharon's shoulders. Tears are still streaming from her eyes.]] / Fooker: Sharon? Hey, what's wrong? What happened? / Sharon: She... she's _lying_. It _can't_ be true. I _know_ it can't. / [[Sharon buries her face in Fooker's chest and puts her arms around him. She is shaking as she sobs. Fooker holds her, looking worried.]] / Sharon: It's... a lie... It _has_ to be... I _can't_... I... _can't_... sob...
 
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Trudy reaches out to follow Sharon; Trudy 2 holds her back.]] / Trudy 2: Let her go for now, Trudy. That was a big shock for you, but a bigger one for her. You'll have time to talk later tonight. / Trudy 2: Right now, I want to finish OUR conversation. There's a reason I insisted that you come on this mission, and it has less to do with your friends needing your help than you needing theirs. / [[Agent #12 (Maddie O'Hara) watches them out of the corner of her eye.]] / Trudy 2: You came with the UGA team to see Barker, to apologize for what you've done. You knew it was too much to ask forgiveness, but you still had to express your regret, hoping he would pass it on to the others. You didn't expect to tag along on this adventure. / Trudy 2: But I see this as your chance to put words into action. This is your opportunity to make things right, and if not gain forgiveness, at least prove the sincerity of your repentance...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Agent #12: You were right, Trudy. Er.. I mean *you*. The "other" Trudy. None of this was anything I particularly wanted to hear, but I will add this, to "my" Trudy:... / Agent #12: I am effectively a law enforcement officer. I seek out those who commit crimes and see to it that they are brought to justice. And I hope they receive the punishment they deserve. / Agent #12: But I've seen my share of repentant souls who were genuinely sorry for their actions. I've also seen plenty of fakers looking to lighten their sentences by "turning over a new leaf." / Agent #12: You want to convince *me* you've changed? *Prove* it. Actions speak louder than words.
GPF Archive: Friday, April 7, 2006 [[A door into a dark room is slightly open, letting light shine in. Persephone pokes her head around the door.]] / Persephone (thinking): Sharon, Trudy, and Agent #12 are gone... I wonder if they went looking for food. I'm hungry too. This is a sewer, so I'm sure I can find something. / [[Persephone moves along a wall in the dark room, past some old jars and something that looks like the bottom of a drinking glass.]] / Persephone (thinking): I hope Fred won't be mad at me for stowing away. I just want to help, although I don't know what I can really do that will... huh? / [[Persephone pauses at a corner of a wall. Voices come from around the corner.]] / Planck: I'm telling you, I saw it with my own optic orbs. They said it was with them. / Pi: This could prove problematic. / [[In the background, Persephone looks around the corner. In the foreground, Pi and Planck are playing a card game.]] / Pi: The humans don't understand the danger they've put us in. I don't care what "universe" it's from. It must be destroyed.
GPF Archive: Friday, April 7, 2006 [[A door into a dark room is slightly open, letting light shine in. Persephone pokes her head around the door.]] / Persephone (thinking): Sharon, Trudy, and Agent #12 are gone... I wonder if they went looking for food. I'm hungry too. This is a sewer, so I'm sure I can find something. / [[Persephone moves along a wall in the dark room, past some old jars and something that looks like the bottom of a drinking glass.]] / Persephone (thinking): I hope Fred won't be mad at me for stowing away. I just want to help, although I don't know what I can really do that will... huh? / [[Persephone pauses at a corner of a wall. Voices come from around the corner.]] / Planck: I'm telling you, I saw it with my own optic orbs. They said it was with them. / Pi: This could prove problematic. / [[In the background, Persephone looks around the corner. In the foreground, Pi and Planck are playing a card game.]] / Pi: The humans don't understand the danger they've put us in. I don't care what "universe" it's from. It must be destroyed.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Pi and Planck are playing cards.]] / Planck: Pi, I know what you're going to say, but what if they're RIGHT? What if alternate universes really exist? What if-- / Pi: For Zolon's sake... / Pi: Planck, I don't know how they produced these clones, but you KNOW this "alternate universe" garbage is nonsense. Humans all look so much alike. Simple makeup can account for their "differences". / [[Persephone watches from around the corner.]] / Pi: No, that thing is still one of THEM. Has to be. I don't know how it convinced them it was on their side... Well, we know ONE way... / [[Persephone knocks over a glass jar.]] <> / Persephone: (thought) Oops! / Planck: IT'S WATCHING US! / Pi: [[scowling]] That's it. Neutralize it.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Persephone: [[scrambled against the wall]] (thought) I feel so... groggy. Like I've lost control of my cytoplasm. Whatever they shot me with is playing with my senses... but it's wearing off... / [[Pi and Planck are talking.]] / Persephone: (thought) I can't understand them. I think they're talking in another language. They also don't seem to think I'm a threat anymore, like they're casually planning how to dispose of me... / Persephone: (thought) The one with the black vest is stepping closer. I've never tried this, but Fred did explain how to do it. I wonder if it will work... / Persephone: (thought) Bingo! / <> / [[Planck gives a start. Pi scowls.]]
 
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Butch Kilgore 2: [[entering]] Pi? Planck? Have you guys seen Nefu's diagnostic equipment? Hello? / Butch 2: What the...? / [[Pi and Planck are frozen. Planck is standing in shock, Pi is diving towards something behind Planck on the floor. Pi's hat is frozen in mid-air.]] / Butch 2: Ah... Don't tell me... Planck accidentaly shot you with the Inertial Varience gun and froze you, and in a panic, shot himself as well. Heh... / Butch 2: [[walking away]] You know, as funny as this is, Terrell's not going to like it, guys. It'll be hours until that wears off... / Persephone: [[hiding behind the door]] (thought) Whew...
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Evil Nick: Somehow I knew I'd find you down here... / Evil Ki: My Lord... / Evil Nick: How is our new tinkerer's progress? / Evil Ki: Faster than you anticipated. He's already fixed several of your mistakes. / Evil Nick: Considering trading me in for the newer model, my dear? / Evil Ki: You know I would never dream of betraying you, my lord. / Evil Nick: And yet I find you here transfixed, watching his every move. Tell me, Ki: Is his butt as cute as you once thought mine was? / Evil Ki: He has a butt? I hadn't noticed, my lord.
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip Nick 2: [[smiling]] How icily formal we are today. Still holding a grudge about that brief session in the torture chamber? / Ki 2: I know you were trying to convince him I was his version of me. / Nick 2: [[puts his finger under Ki 2's chin, smiling]] And yet you never seemed to complain about pain in the bedroom... / Ki 2: [[gritting teeth]] Being "drawn and quartered" isn't my idea of foreplay. / Nick 2: [[grabs her face, turns her towards him, very unsmiling]] Quite true. But I don't want you to forget what we are trying to accomplish. Nor should you forget your PLACE. You can be--and if needed, WILL be--replaced. / Nick 2: Don't flatter yourself by thinking you are more than what you are, Oshiro, or you will find yourself in a position not unlike what I did to your weak and foolish parents... / [[Nick 2 stalks away in shadow. Ki 2 is left standing, slouched and scowling.]]
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[Nick 2 walks away. Ki 2 is turned toward the window, still glaring.]] / [[Ki 2 watches as Nick works on the Velociraptor. His back is to the window, and he is sweating and glaring in concentration.]] / [[Her hand pressed against the glass, Ki 2 watches Nick with sympathy as he sits back and wipes his forehead in exhaustion.]] / [[Ki 2 has left the window. Nick, still sweating, looks to his right to see the window is empty.]]
General Protection Fault--The Comic Strip [[No text. Evil Nick walking, in profile and silhouette.]] / [[Evil Nick in full face, looking startled]] / Voice from Shadow (character unidentified): Having domestic problems, your Lordship? No longer King of your castle? / [Evil Nick turning towards voice]] / Evil Nick: Oh. It's you. You picked a fine time to disappear. I could have used your advice. / [[A pair of slanted eyes and uneven, sneering/smiling mouth in negative silhouette (white on black background)]] / Voice from Shadow: Oh. Don't worry, your high mucketty-muckness. You've been doing swimmingly without me. But now it's time I popped back in for a little counseling session...
 

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